At the 2011 Homecoming Alumni Reception held Oct. 22 in Maryville College’s Alumni Gymnasium, members of milestone 25th, 40th and 50th reunion classes proudly presented checks to President Dr. William T. “Tom” Bogart reflective of their reunion fundraising efforts. To date, those efforts have resulted in more than $322,403 of total giving impact, while specifically raising roughly $92,403 for the Maryville Fund, scholarships and the campaign to renovate the interior of historic Anderson Hall.

Members of the Class of 1961, the College’s newest Golden Scots, celebrated their 50th reunion with an announcement by Reunion Gift Chair George Poland that, as of Oct. 22, 84 percent of class members had collectively raised $66,753 to fund the Class of 1961 Endowed Scholarship. Additionally, five members had joined the Society of 1819, bringing the class’ total giving impact to $256,753. In addition to Poland, Reunion Gift Committee members included Sylvia Fugate Heard, Gay Landis Page, Harry Page, Kathy Eisenhart Parse, Margie Stephenson Ribble, Linda Carol Roberts, Cheryl Gould Smith and John Talmage.

Rob Kennedy represented the Class of 1971 in his role as Reunion Gift Chair and reported that the class has raised$22,790to establish a Class of 1971 Endowed Scholarship. With 56-percent class participation and the addition of four new Society of 1819 members, the class’ financial gift to the College was reported to be $62,790 at the time of the reception. Serving with Kennedy on the 1971 Reunion Gift Committee were Donna Hemenway Berg, Richard Berg and Ana Tampanna.

The Class of 1986, represented by Reunion Gift Chair Neal McBrayer, reported a record 40-percent class participation number and gift and pledge amount of $2,860. This gift will be used in conjunction with that of the Class of 1985 to renovate the ground floor entranceway in Anderson Hall. In addition to McBrayer, members of the Class of 1986 Reunion Gift and Events Committee included Rick Carver, Charis Shamblin Davis, Hubert Dixon, Jeff Goethe, Stacey Davis Nordquist and Amy Ralston Vagnier.

“Reunion giving is always a very special effort that we love to assist with,” said Holly Jackson-Sullivan, vice president for advancement and community relations. “All of the classes did an incredible job; we are actually looking at adding 55th and 60th reunion gift committees for next year due to multiple alumni requests.”

Jackson-Sullivan reminded reunion class alumni that gifts can be added to reunion giving any time between now at the end of the fiscal year (May 31, 2012). Reunion class members should indicate “reunion giving” on the check.

“The Reunion Gift Committee members spent a tremendous amount of time reaching out to their fellow classmates, not only to help raise funds but also to promote Homecoming and simply reconnect,” she said. “The MC memories were flowing… it was a touching experience to witness.”

1961: With Reunion Class Giving Chair George Poland '61 at the podium, members of the gift committee reveal the results of their campaign for the College -- $66,753 — to establish an endowed scholarship.

1971: With classmates holding the check, Reunion Class Giving Chair Rob Kennedy '71 talks about the success the Class of 1971 had in collecting gifts and pledges of $22,790 for an endowed scholarship.

1986: Neal McBrayer, Reunion Class Giving Chair for the Class of 1986, presents a check of $2,860 from his class that will go toward the renovation of Anderson Hall.